STATE BUDGET BOOST FOR NORTH WESTERN QUEENSLAND

The North-West's mining and cattle industries and growing population remain a budget priority with almost $75 million in today's State Budget to upgrade rail and road connections.

Minister for Transport and Main Roads Paul Lucas said the Beattie Government was committed to providing the transport infrastructure needed to feed economic growth.

“An efficient, integrated transport network underpins the ongoing strength of traditional industries in the North West and support the development of new opportunities for job growth," Mr Lucas said.

Key projects include:

• almost $9 million to continue progressive widening work on the Flinders Highway, the region's key east-west road freight and passenger route. This includes $5.9 million to upgrade the Jardine Valley section between Charters Towers and Hughenden. Work will begin later this year and be completed by mid-2008
• more than $15.6 million for the Burke Developmental Road, including $4 million to replace the existing Gilbert River bridge with a new, two-lane concrete structure
• $2.3 million to continue extending bitumen seal on the Wills Developmental Road in Burke Shire and upgrade the Doomadgee intersection

Mr Lucas today also released details of the new record five-year, $13.3 billion Roads Implementation Program (RIP), with funding of $210.4 million programmed over five years across North Western Queensland. This includes $6.74 million for local government to upgrade council roads.

Mr Lucas said the budget would also provide $18.5 million to complete the $63.4 million project to upgrade the rail line from Mt Isa to Townsville.

"This corridor links the north-west mineral province and the cattle industry to the Port of Townsville and is critical to their ongoing viability and growth," he said.

"The project to replace the old steel sleepers with concrete will improve travel times and reliability for passengers and for the increasing freight volumes to and from the north-west corner of the state."

The Budget also includes:

• $2 million to buy a new pilot boat to transfer marine pilots on and off ships using the busy Port of Weipa. More than 400 ships a year use the port, carrying bauxite from the Comalco mine, export cattle and general freight.
• $450,000 to repair and seal water-damaged areas of the Mornington Island airport runway
• $6,000 for general minor works at the Port of Karumba at the mouth of the Norman River.

Media contact: Robert Hoge 3237 1942 or

Darren Roberts 3237 1947